One patient obtained a CR, 5 a PR and 3 sustained a mixed response. Median response duration was 2-3 months.

Grade IV hematologic toxicity occurred in 7 of 21 and was primarily thrombocytopenia. In 5 patients, thrombocytopenia persisted until time of death.

Several patients had mild nausea and fatigue.

Author's Conclusions

The 30% response rate and 25% positive imaging rate demonstrate that this new treatment modality is feasible and warrants further investigation.

It must be determined which patients are most likely to benefit from this therapy. Increased specificity in order to decrease the rates of thrombocytopenia is also needed.

Clinical/Scientific Implications

In Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Mab therapy (Rituximab, Zevalin) is palying an increasing role in de novo and relapsed disease. The authors of this study are applying the same strategy to HD treatment. This very preliminary paper serves as proof of priciple. It appears that they have succesfully created a radiolabelled Mab with specific activity against HD. Further study is needed in order to increase the efficacy of this technique and reduce the hematologic toxicity. This preliminary data provides hope that novel therapies for those that fail conventional HD therapy are on the horizon.

Oncolink's ASH Coverage made possible by an unrestricted Educational Grant from Ortho Biotech.